WHAT
As parishioners arrive for mass, clergy molestation victims will hand out flyers urging Catholics to call their Cardinal about a priest on trial who is wearing his clerical garb in court in violation of the US Bishops Conference sex abuse policies
WHEN
Sunday, Feb. 19, 9:15 a.m.
WHERE
Outside Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago at the corner of Chicago & State
WHO
Several local clergy sex abuse victims and supporters who are members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
WHY
Fr. Daniel McGuire, once a very popular nationally-known author and prominent Jesuit, will be back in criminal court on Monday in Elkhorn Wisconsin. He currently lives in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, according to yesterday's Chicago Tribune. McGuire faces charges of molesting two boys roughly 35 years ago.
According to the national abuse policy adopted by America's bishops in Dallas in 2002, no 'credibly accused priest' can present himself publicly as a priest. Yet McGuire wore his Roman collar and clerical garb in court on Friday and is expected to do so again next week.
SNAP wants Chicago Cardinal Francis George to intervene and prevent this, or at least emphatically and publicly decry this blatant attempt to win sympathy from the jury and disregard bishops’ repeated promises to abide by their national policies on abuse.
SNAP feels George will likely try to split hairs and deny responsibility or authority over McGuire. But each bishop is responsible for every priest living or working in their respective dioceses. And McGuire has also been accused of molesting children in Chicago as well.
In addition to the criminal charges, McGuire also faces several civil child molestation lawsuits.
McGuire’s lawyer is Gerald Boyle who has represented many abusive clergy.
CONTACT
Barbara Blaine, SNAP President, 312 399 4747
David Clohessy, SNAP National Director, 314 566 9790
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